Product Description

Nostalgia, identity, eccentricity, gin drinking and occasional violence... these are just some of the themes that stand-up comedian Dara O Briain explores in Tickling the English. O Briain moved to England many years ago, but when he takes his show on tour around the country – from deserted seaside towns and remote off-shore islands, to sprawling industrial cities and sleepy suburbs – it’s clear to him that his adopted home is still a bit of an enigma. Why do the English pretend to be unhappy all the time? Why can’t they accept they rank about 5th, in everything? And what’s with all the fudge? But this Irishman loves a challenge; he's certainly got the gregarious personality and the sure-fire wit to bring down the barriers of that famous English reserve, and have a good old rummage inside. Swapping anecdotes with his audiences and spending time wandering in their hometowns, this nosy neighbour holds England up to the light while exploring some of the attitudes he brought over here with him too. As Dara goes door-to-door in search of England in this part tour diary, part travelogue, the result is an affectionate, hilarious and often eye-opening journey through the Sceptred Isle.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-01
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

About the Author
Dara O Briain is the biggest Irish comic to have hit the UK in recent years. Already a huge star in Ireland, O Briain has now moved from being a sold-out festival favourite in Edinburgh to selling out theatres across the country and enjoying mainstream television success with his topical comedy show for the BBC, Mock The Week. He has been living in England for the past seven years.

Customer Reviews

Brilliantly funny and clever observations on what it is to be English
I pre-ordered Dara's book as soon as I saw it was to be released and was eagerly awaiting it's arrival. I wasn't to be disappointed - it arrived yesterday and I've been glued to the sofa ever since! The book is a combination of Dara's observations whilst on his last tour of the UK and his interweaving of facts, figures and historical information of the places and people of England.

There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in the book (much to the irritation of my husband who wanted to know what I was laughing at but also wanted to wait to read the book for himself) and at the same time the book is full of interesting stuff. Dara also gives some insight into the life of a comic on tour and recounts many of the interesting people and conversations that he has had on tour.

If you like Dara's comedy then you're bound to enjoy his book. It's very well written, very funny and very clever. Highly recommended!

Being Tickled
This book is the perfect antidote to the negativity so often peddled (mainly by ourselves) about the English. Dara's writing portrays a tremendous affection for his audiences as he encounters people the length and breadth of the country and asks them the simple question `What do you do'? We are given a glimpse of what it's like to embark on an extensive stand-up tour and the lifestyle this dictates. I particularly enjoyed how it was written because at no point does Dara claim to be an expert on our history or customs but having said that I learnt more about England's past from this book than I ever did at school! As well as being, accessible, well written and thoughtful it's also (as you would expect) extremely funny. The exchanges between performer and audience draw out how truly comical everyday life is and added to Dara's slightly surreal outlook I giggled my way through it. All of this is combined with a very sweet moment about becoming a father, an encounter with the legendary Ken Dodd and the addictive qualities of the Geordie accent made Tickling the English a joy to read
I have just three things to say to Dara: (1) Can I have Damon's job please? (2) Please tell me you didn't really wear only two shirts throughout the entire tour because that's gross. And (3) when can we meet so we can swap accents?

Clever, funny and articulate
I've admired O'Briain in his role as the witty but controlled ringmaster on Mock The Week, but can he write? Yes is the answer, and charmingly too. There's perhaps not quite as much in-depth analysis of the English character in here as you might be led to believe from the cover of the book, but there are some nice insights. The real strength of the book is in the way O'Briain opens up the world of the touring comic, with the unhealthy eating and drinking habits and monotonous travel set against working in some beautiful theatres with hugely varying audience characters. The aspects of the book that describe the development of a few thoughts for a show through rehearsals in small clubs to a full scale tour are fascinating, as is the description of the need to constantly change and adapt the material while on tour. And then of course there's Ken Dodd.... I won't spoil the book but Dara is either: (i) Ken Dodd's marketing man (ii) his son, or (iii) a receptacle for storing Ken's money. Actually, my money's on the latter. Read and enjoy - on the strength of this book O'Briain has a writing ability that matches his stand-up skills.